If any proof is required of how distinctive Christmas in Japan actually is, it may be discovered within the pages of SANDA, a manga impressed by the legend of Santa Claus, created by Paru Itagaki, the creator of BEASTARS. Christmas in Japan is kind of totally different from how it’s celebrated within the West. In main cities like Tokyo and Osaka, individuals line as much as purchase buckets of Kentucky Fried Rooster for his or her vacation feasts. Since Christmas isn’t a public vacation in Japan, individuals usually go to work or college as ordinary. Christmas Eve is primarily seen as a romantic event, much like Valentine’s Day, and is usually celebrated by younger {couples}.
The story of SANDA is ready in a near-future Japan the place Christmas has turn out to be nothing greater than a fantasy. Because of a drastic decline in beginning charges, youngsters are handled with excessive warning, creating societal imbalances. Having not too long ago accomplished its run in Japan, an English model of the SANDA manga has simply been introduced by Titan Comics, with Quantity One set to reach on September 2.
SANDA: From Manga to Anime
A Future With out Christmas?
SANDA was initially serialized in Weekly Shōnen Champion journal from 2021 to 2024, leading to 16 collected volumes. An anime adaptation of SANDA is scheduled for launch in Fall 2025, with Ayumu Murase voicing the protagonist and Hiroki Tochi as Santa Claus. The protagonist of the story, Kazushige Sanda, is a center college pupil who unexpectedly discovers that he’s a descendant of Santa Claus. With the assistance of his classmate, Shiori Fuyumura, he positive aspects the flexibility to remodel into Santa Claus by consuming jellybeans or sporting crimson clothes. Collectively, they set out on a journey to seek out their lacking good friend, Ichie Ono, and revive the misplaced spirit of Christmas.
Paru Itagaki: A Rising Star in Manga
A New Tackle Christmas in Japan
Born in 1993, Paru Itagaki, the creator of BEASTARS and SANDA, has manga in her blood—her father is Keisuke Itagaki, the creator of Baki. She initially studied filmmaking however later switched to manga, debuting with Beast Advanced in 2016. Her hit manga BEASTARS ran from 2016 to 2020, resulting in a well-liked anime collection that can conclude with its ultimate season later this 12 months.
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A Santa Claus anime announcement from the creator of Beastars could have been the very last thing manga followers anticipated on their 2024 bingo card.
With its mix of vacation mythology, motion, and heartfelt storytelling, SANDA provides a recent twist to Christmas in Japan. Because the collection reaches worldwide audiences, it has the potential to go away a long-lasting influence, very similar to BEASTARS earlier than it, solidifying Itagaki’s status as some of the progressive voices in trendy manga.
Supply: Anime Information Community
